“In the Text Component Editor for a curve label, the value that most people would prefer to as a delta angle is called the General Segment Total Angle. To insert the Delta symbol in a label, simply type \U+0394 in the Text Editor window on the right side of the Text Component Editor dialog box…”

Other Unicode symbols include:
Almost Equal \U+2248
Angle \U+2220
Boundary Line \U+E100
Center Line \U+2104
Cubed \U+00B3
Degree sign \U+00B0
Delta \U+0394
Diameter \U+00F8
Flow line \U+E101
Not Equal \U+2260
One Half \U+00BD
Percent \U+0025
Plus-Minus sign \U+00B1
Pound sign \U+00A3
Property Line \U+214A
Quarter \U+00BC
Squared \U+00B2
Three Quarters \U+00BE

©2009 Paving the Way. All Rights Reserved.

The fall of the economy at this time last year led to a sharp decrease in A|E|C firm staffing, but the recent turn-around seems to have left many firms with new software through subscription services, but few people qualified to make that software sing. If you’ve found yourself in this position, there are several effective avenues for finding qualified help. They include hiring independent consultants to carry some of the work load, using on-line agencies to help meet staffing requirements, or training your staff to become more productive with the design tools they use.

The 5 member firms of The I.II.I Consortium, recently featured by TenLinks, have a combined 100 years of experience in their respective markets implementing CAD and BIM tools including GEOPAK, Civil 3D, Revit, Terramodel, and a host of other packages. If you’re looking for someone to carry some of your workload, no one is in a better position to deliver the quality of services you deserve at rates you can live with.

If hiring an IC for project work isn’t in your future, we offer both high-power training solutions, and unlimited access to our Technology Suite for as low as $20 for a one week subscription. Access to tutorials in the Technology Suite is free for all clients with a purchase of our Professional Services. Click Here for registration information.

If you’re looking to hire CAD staff for A|E|C work, we field calls every day from people looking for work; we just might know someone that can help you! If you’re looking to hire but need affordable assistance in training, try a subscription to our Technology Suite“>Technology Suite and we’ll create customized, localized tutorials for you.

If you simply need to hire soon, our favorite resource catering to CAD and BIM talent is CADtalent. CADtalent goes above and beyond to help you find the talent you need, and they email daily alerts as resumes are posted.

Warm regards,
Scott

Scott McEachron
The I.II.I Consortium
Dallas – Fort Worth

©2009 Paving the Way. All Rights Reserved.

Formerly of McAninch Corporation, Brian managed the 3D Data Modeling – Highway sector. He has created and maintained complex 3D models for State Transportation Agencies in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and North Carolina.

Brian modeled the largest GPS Guidance & Machine Control project in Missouri DOT history with excavation quantities of nearly 7 million cubic yards of material. The project included 7 miles of 4-lane divided highway, 2 full interchanges and 4 bridges.

Brian’s knowledge of standards and specifications used in the transportation industry is unparalleled.

Industry Comments:

• Found the accuracy and detail of his work to be of the highest order.
• His specialty is road projects and his expertise is second to none.
• His attention to detail is impressive and is very efficient in providing accurate models.

The I.II.I Consortium
With a rapidly shrinking and faster interacting world, you need to leverage technology trends that are financially responsible. You need experts that combine not only an understanding of the latest tools and trends, but the wisdom to integrate them into real-world business models effectively. The I.II.I Consortium is a network of Architects, Engineers, Educators, and Subject Matter Experts dedicated to Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, and Construction excellence and committed to success through technology, CAD, BIM and IPD.

We’re the nation’s leading provider of high-powered Microstation™, GEOPAK™, AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, Trimble Terramodel, and AutoCAD Civil 3D Implementation, Custom Training, and related Professional Services. We serve both public and private companies, as well as Federal, State, and Local agencies with real-world solutions for leveraging technology in innovative, fiscally responsible ways.

Click on the following link for more information about The I.II.I Consortium.

©2009 Paving the Way. All Rights Reserved.

• Set Working Folder and Create Survey Database
  This tutorial outlines the location of the “Working Folder,” as well as the location of the survey database, and the survey networks associated with a survey database. This video was created in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010.
• Adding Linework (Survey Figures) to a Surface as Breaklines
  This tutorial outlines creating breaklines from survey figures created in the field. Although the option to generate these breaklines for a surface automatically does exist in the software, you probably don’t want to use this functionality. This video shows the best alternative approach. This video was created in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010.
• How To Set the Current Points Layer
  A short video tutorial about the location of the default points layer. It is not found in the drawing settings.
• Importing Points Without Using Survey.
  A short video tutorial about importing points from a text file.
• Changing Point Display, and hiding points using groups.
  A short video tutorial about controlling what points are visible on the screen using groups.
• Point Settings: Label Off, but Symbol On
  This video walks through setting up a description key to cover the following scenario: You need to leave a symbol on but turn off the point label text. In Civil 3D, a point can not have both a node and a symbol as was the case in Land Desktop. The symbol in Civil 3D is the “node” per se, and it has an object snap “node” definition (meaning you can snap to the node of a symbol used to mark a point).
• Point Settings: Label Used to Label Symbol (e.g. Water Meter, Water Valve)
  This video walks through setting up a description key to cover the following scenario: Need to place text near a symbol, but want the flexibility to control the placement of the text – such is the case with a water valve labeled WV, or a water meter labeled WM. Ideally, you want the WM or WV above their respective symbols to be movable via grips. In Civil 3D, a point can not have both a node and a symbol as was the case in Land Desktop. The symbol in Civil 3D is the “node” per se, and it has an object snap “node” definition (meaning you can snap to the node of a symbol used to mark a point).
• Label Northing, Easting, Area Using AutoCAD Fields
  Northings, Eastings, Elevations, Areas (and more) can all be labeled using core AutoCAD functionality.
• Point Coordinate Transformation
  Coordinate transformation (e.g. from NAD83 UTM Zone 15 Meters to NAD83 Louisiana State Plane, South Zone, US Foot) may not work properly if you simply use point functionality. However, the transformation seems to hold in every case if you work via the Survey functions. This video shows how to proceed.

Registration
By registering for the Technology Suite, you have access to the same materials – same customized, localized tutorials we use in “real” classes – but you can view them on your time, not ours, at a fraction of the cost of attending class. If you’re in a bind, and need support, you can register for one week for just $20! Once registered, you determine the content; if you need a tutorial, we’ll create one for you.

©2009 Paving the Way. All Rights Reserved.

If you open a drawing that appears to be faded back, an you want to adjust the setting, type XDWGFADECTL. You can set the fade percentage from 0-100, 70 seems about right for me. How did I find the variable? I typed “X” on the command line, and hit the tab key until I found what I was looking for.

To change “fade factor” of objects when using the LAYISO command, type LAYLOCKFADECTL on the command line.

I’ve heard complaints about the fading of layers when isolating layers, “Why do the layers show up at all?” So you can use object snaps on objects that aren’t part of the isolation.

Looking for more “unique” variables and commands? I wrote an article sometime ago entitled Superman. Check it out.

Looking for in-depth workshops, tutorials, and documentation? Check out the Technology Suite at I.II.I. Registration is required, but the Civil 3D Video Room and Reading Room are high powered self help portals – affordable alternatives to customized, localized training, when time and money matter.

For more information about available workshops and tutorials, or to make a special request, Click Here to send us an email. If you’re a member, we’ll design a tutorial for you!

©2009 Paving the Way. All Rights Reserved.

Renaming The Assembly
The Information tab on the Assembly Properties dialog gives you an opportunity to rename your assembly and provide an optional description. In many cases, it’s ideal to rename your assemblies and include the station range in which they can be found along a baseline (for example, Patricia Parkway Sta 1+34.76 to 3+74.21). Page 380 in Mastering AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010.

(Patricia? Ya… my Mom. I’m relatively confident she won’t be reading the book, but moms are tricky – so just in case, I’ve mentioned her. And by the way mom, if you’re reading this, please send cookies).

Looking for in-depth workshops, tutorials, and documentation? Check out the Technology Suite at I.II.I. Registration is required, but the Civil 3D Video Room and Reading Room are high powered self help portals – affordable alternatives to customized, localized training, when time and money matter.

For more information about available workshops and tutorials, or to make a special request, Click Here to send us an email. If you’re a member, we’ll design a tutorial for you!

©2009 Paving the Way. All Rights Reserved.

• How To Set the Current Points Layer
  A short video tutorial about the location of the default points layer. It is not found in the drawing settings.
• Importing Points Without Using Survey.
  A short video tutorial about importing points from a text file.
• Changing Point Display, and hiding points using groups.
  A short video tutorial about controlling what points are visible on the screen using groups.
• Set Working Folder and Create Survey Database
  This tutorial outlines the location of the “Working Folder,” as well as the location of the survey database, and the survey networks associated with a survey database. This video was created with AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010.
• Adding Linework (Survey Figures) to a Surface as Breaklines
  This tutorial outlines creating breaklines from survey figures created in the filed. Although the option to generate these breaklines for a surface automatically does exist in the software, you probably don’t want to use this functionality. This video shows the best alternative approach. This video was created with AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010.
• Running AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 for the first time
  A short video tutorial and notes about configuring the interface the first time you run AutoCAD Civil 3D. Includes information about the ribbon, and how to return to the “old” menus. Also includes information about turning on the legacy OSNAP buttons, etc., and saving Workspace settings.
• Forcing Civil 3D to Open Using a Custom Template
  How to configure AutoCAD, Land Desktop, Civil 3D, etc. to use a custom drawing template for Drawing1.dwg each time a new session is started.
• Creating a Surface Using Points.
  Surface creation in Civil 3D is relatively straight forward. This video shows you one simple method using points.
• Label Northing, Easting, Area Using Fields
  Northings, Eastings, Elevations, Areas (and more) can all be labelled using core AutoCAD functionality.
• Point Settings: Label Off, but Symbol On
  This video walks through setting up a description key to cover the following scenario: You need to leave a symbol on but turn off the point label text. In Civil 3D, a point can not have both a node and a symbol as was the case in Land Desktop. The symbol in Civil 3D is the “node” per se, and it has an object snap “node” definition (meaning you can snap to the node of a symbol used to mark a point).
• Point Settings: Label Used to Label Symbol (e.g. Water Meter, Water Valve)
  This video walks through setting up a description key to cover the following scenario: Need to place text near a symbol, but want the flexibility to control the placement of the text – such is the case with a water valve labeled WV, or a water meter labeled WM. Ideally, you want the WM or WV above their respective symbols to be movable via grips. In Civil 3D, a point can not have both a node and a symbol as was the case in Land Desktop. The symbol in Civil 3D is the “node” per se, and it has an object snap “node” definition (meaning you can snap to the node of a symbol used to mark a point).
• Using AutoCAD Fields to Label Civil 3D Features
  If you’re not inclined to use parcels or parcel labels in Civil 3D, you can use Fields to label objects, including areas, bearings, and distances.

Looking for in-depth workshops, tutorials, and documentation? Check out the Technology Suite at I.II.I. The Civil 3D Video Room and Reading Room are high powered self help portals – affordable alternatives to customized, localized training, when time and money matter. Registration is required.

For more information about available workshops and tutorials, or to make a special request, Click Here to send us an email. If you’re a member, we’ll design a tutorial for you!

©2009 Paving the Way. All Rights Reserved.